The global stainless steel market navigated a series of sharp sentiment. The opening weeks saw Indonesia's mill closures and price hikes push the cost narrative to its highest point of the year, before a combination of easing geopolitical tensions triggered the first price reduction since December 2025. The month's defining characteristic was similar to April's. What differentiated May was the sharply higher amplitude of both the policy signals and the emotional swings that accompanied them.

Recently, the mass production ceremony for the new automotive aluminum parts plant of the Norwegian Hydro Group was held in the Sino-European Advanced Manufacturing Industrial Park in Chengxiang Town, Taicang. Hydro is deeply involved in the research, development, manufacturing, and low-carbon recycling technologies of aluminum profiles, and its products are widely used by high-end automakers such as BMW, Tesla, and Audi. The project has successfully passed the PPAP production parts approval audit and has officially entered the full-scale mass production stage. It will stably supply high-end lightweight aluminum structural parts for BMW models. After reaching full production capacity, it is expected to generate an additional annual output value of 50 million yuan, adding high-quality foreign-invested capacity to the Taicang automotive parts industry chain.

Affected by the traditional consumption off-season and raw material price transmission, China’s deep-processed manganese products came under overall downward pressure this week. Products showed differentiated market performances due to distinct supply-demand fundamentals, with obvious linkage across the industrial chain.

2026 China Central International Power Transformer Export Expo 2026 China Central International Power Transformer Export Expo Concurrently held: The 8th China (Zhengzhou) International New-type Power and Smart Energy Industry Exhibition August 15-17, 2026, Central China International Convention and Exhibition Center (Airport Area) Annual Central China Power and Electrical Industry Development Conference Estimated exhibition data: 18 countries and regions 600+ exhibiting brands 300+ media coverage 20 forum events 40,000 m² exhibition area 50,000 visitors Co-organizers: Henan Electrical Equipment Industry Association Beijing Aibo International Exhibition Co., Ltd. Executing Unit: Beijing Aibo International Exhibition Co., Ltd. Title Sponsor: Henan Senyuan Electric Co., Ltd. Official Website: http://byq.aiboexpo.com ※ Exhibition Overview: Currently, 'carbon neutrality' has become a global consensus. Achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality is a solemn commitment China has made to the world and a broad and profound economic and social transformation. Realizing clean and zero-carbon energy is a crucial guarantee for carbon neutrality. The development and maturation of the new-type power industry are of great significance for accelerating the construction of a new power system dominated by new energy. In recent years, supported by a series of national policies, global renewable energy industries such as PV, wind power, hydropower, new-type energy storage, charging facilities, and hydrogen energy have achieved rapid development. With new breakthroughs in next-generation technologies and equipment, the future new energy market holds limitless prospects. At the 2024 Bosch Connected World conference, the world's richest man Elon Musk predicted that the rapid development of AI and EVs would lead to a severe shortage of transformers. Today, this prediction has become a reality. Amid this global 'transformer shortage', the latest data from China's General Administration of Customs shows: in 2025, China's transformer export value reached 64.6 billion yuan, a YoY surge of 36%, with the average unit price exceeding 205,000 yuan, a rise of 33%. Even more astonishing—orders for high-end ultra-high voltage and data center-dedicated transformers have been scheduled into 2027, with some stretching into 2028! The global transformer shortage is the inevitable result of multiple contemporary factors overlapping. From an infrastructure perspective, the power systems in Europe and the US are undergoing a 'major overhaul'. A Goldman Sachs report from September 2025 pointed out that most of Europe's grid infrastructure has been in operation for 40-50 years, and in the US, 31% of transmission equipment and 46% of distribution facilities are past their service life. To this end, the EU plans to invest €1.2 trillion over the next decade to upgrade its power grid, and the US also announced $1.1 trillion over five years for the power sector. As core equipment for power grid upgrades, transformers have naturally become a focal point of demand. Amid the global transition toward green and low-carbon development, the construction of green energy power plants such as PV and wind power has further lifted transformer demand. The international energy industry analysis firm “Allied Market” forecast that the global transformer market size will reach $103 billion in 2031, Henan is located in central China and has long been known as the “heartland of Kyushu and the thoroughfare of ten provinces,” serving as an important transportation hub in China that connects east and west and links north and south. Developing a hub economy is a key pillar for integrating into the new development paradigm. “In recent years, our province has leveraged its transportation and location advantages to continuously strengthen the hub economy. Seizing the opportunity presented by the development of a unified national market, we have built a comprehensive ‘rice + well + people’ transportation corridor and initially formed a broad multimodal transport landscape integrating and connecting airports, inland ports, highway ports, high-speed rail ports, and ports of entry. It has become a logistics corridor hub that connects at home and abroad and radiates across the east, central, and west. Trading globally, the hub advantage is gradually being transformed into a competitive edge for development. Leveraging Henan’s status as a major province in China in terms of population, agriculture, industry, and energy consumption, its transportation and geographic advantages are driving global power grid upgrades, with transformers playing a crucial role in building a new-type power system. To rapidly and accurately connect sellers and buyers and help enterprises expand broader markets in and outside China, the “2026 China · Central and Western China International Power Transformer Export Expo,” jointly organized by the Henan Electrical Industry Association and Beijing Aibo International Exhibition Co., Ltd., is scheduled to be held on August 15-17, 2026 at Zhongyuan International Convention and Exhibition Center, Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, concurrently with the “8th China (Zhengzhou) International New-Type Power and Smart Energy Industry Exhibition.” This exhibition is expected to cover 40,000㎡, attracting more than 600 brand exhibitors from around the world to make a concentrated appearance in central China, with over 50,000 visits expected from professional visitors and buyers. We sincerely invite transformer producers, manufacturers, and related supporting suppliers from in and outside China to gather in central China and share this grand industry event! As one of China’s 12 highest-level international comprehensive transportation hubs and one of the country’s six airport-type national logistics hubs, Zhengzhou is a comprehensive hub city integrating highways, railways, aviation, power, and communications. It enjoys uniquely advantageous geographic conditions. With Zhengzhou as the center, a two-hour aviation circle covers 92% of China’s population, 94% of its total economic output, and 98% of its foreign trade share. Against the backdrop of the current dual-circulation development model and domestic demand boost, Zhengzhou’s market radiation advantage nationwide will become even more prominent. Henan has a solid industrial foundation and a complete industrial supporting system, highly aligned with the development needs of the new energy industry. It can better promote deep integrated development across the upstream and downstream industry chain of new energy enterprises, achieve resource sharing and complementary advantages, and jointly drive coordinated development of the industry. Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone Comprehensive Experimental Zone, known as the “Central China Special Zone,” is currently the only national-level aviation economy development pilot zone approved by the State Council. The Airport Economy Zone closely focuses on five major strategic positioning goals: the “Air Silk Road” pilot zone, the “National Airport Economy Experimental Zone,” the “core growth pole of the Central Plains Economic Zone and the Zhengzhou Metropolitan Area,” a “modernized, internationalized, world-class logistics hub,” and the “Central China Special Zone”; and deepens the development of five major centers: an international advanced manufacturing center, international trade center, international transportation and logistics center, international creative fashion center, and international innovation talent center. The Airport Economy Zone has become a growth pole of great strategic value for Zhengzhou’s development and a high ground for opening up across the province. ※Key Invitations Target Audience: Power, petroleum, chemicals, metallurgy, steel, cement, coal, textiles, transportation, electronics, communications, environmental protection, transport, machinery, turnkey equipment suppliers, traders, etc. Real estate developers, construction contractors, decoration and renovation companies, architects, designers, engineers, importers and exporters, wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, buildings, property management institutions, and industry end-users (such as hospitals, schools, government agencies, hotels, shopping malls, etc.). Relevant government departments, power companies, power grid companies, power supply departments, planning departments, municipal engineering entities, design and research institutions, competent authorities, associations, societies, media organizations, etc. ※ Media Spotlight and Synchronized Promotion : Helping exhibitors deeply explore clients, find professional buyers, promote brands, and close deals has always been the mission and responsibility of the organizers of the Central China Transformer Expo! We will join forces with Xinhua Net, People’s Daily Online, Economic Net, Sina, ifeng.com, CNR.cn, Guangming Online, CCTV.com, China News Service, Dayu Net, Dahe Net, Yingxiang Net, Zhongyuan Net, Jinbao Net, Sunan Net, Dahe Daily, Sohu, iQIYI, Baidu, Toutiao, Henan TV, Dazhong.com, Haibao News, Douyin, Kuaishou, Xiaohongshu, Zhihu, Huaxia Energy Network, International New Energy Network, Polaris Electric Power Network, Power Supply Network, China Transformer Network, Transformer Market Network, Electronic Transformer Information Network, Sobi PV Energy Storage Network, PV Industry Network, Energy World, Household PV Network, EV Network, First EV Network, Charging Piles Network, NEV Industry Network, and more than 100 other media outlets to provide comprehensive coverage of the exhibition, helping enterprises promote new products and technologies, enhance brand image, and strengthen corporate influence. ※ If you are a supplier of the following products, please book a booth: 1 、Transformers: Dry-type transformers, oil-immersed transformers; PV transformers, wind power transformers, box-type substations, electric furnace transformers, mining transformers, marine transformers, movable vehicle-mounted transformers, customized transformers and solutions, etc. 2 、Transformer Design and Manufacturing: Transformer R&D and design software, virtual simulation software; fully automatic winding machines, core laser cutting equipment, robotic insulation coating systems; partial discharge detection instruments, automatic withstand-voltage test benches, AI visual defect recognition systems; overall solutions for digital factories, etc. 3 、Key Transformer Materials: Conductive materials (e.g., copper semis, aluminum semis, copper-aluminum composite materials), magnetic materials (silicon steel and amorphous alloys, ferrite materials), insulating materials (insulating paper, paperboard, insulating varnish, insulating oil, epoxy resin, electrical insulating wood, varnished cloth, varnished cloth tape), etc. 4 、Key Transformer Components: Core, windings, oil tank/oil conservator, bushings, oil level gauges, oil purifiers, conductive rod, sealing gaskets, breathers, insulating materials, tap changers, gas relays, explosion-proof pipes, temperature measuring devices, fire extinguishing devices, clamps, surge arresters, pressure release devices, other transformer accessories/consumables, etc. 5 、Green Electricity Technologies and Applications: Distributed PV/wind power energy systems; energy routers, renewable energy grid connection controllers, cloud-edge collaborative microgrid control systems, virtual power plant (VPP) access terminals; green electricity traceability platforms, full life cycle carbon footprint monitoring instruments, enterprise ESG compliance management software, etc. 6 、Smart Power Supply and Distribution Systems: High-voltage direct current (HVDC) power supply, liquid-cooled power distribution systems, flexible DC converters (medium and high voltage), solid-state transformers (SST)/high-efficiency transformers, high-voltage/medium-voltage switchgear; smart low-voltage distribution cabinets, busway systems, smart header boards, cabinet PDUs; active power filters (APF), dynamic voltage restorers (DVR); DC circuit breakers, DC fuses, smart arc detection systems, lightning surge protectors, etc. 7 、Digital Energy Efficiency Management: AI monitoring platforms for power supply and distribution, digital twin O&M systems, predictive maintenance tools, CFD simulation and energy efficiency optimization software, etc. 8 、Collaborative Innovation in Energy Storage: Lithium battery/flow/sodium-ion energy storage systems, integrated PV+ESS+hydrogen solutions, containerized integrated energy storage units, etc. 9 、Related Services: Planning consulting and design, engineering construction, completion acceptance, rating and certification, infrastructure O&M, IT services and O&M. ※Fee-Based Items: ● Booth Fees: Booth Category Standard Booth (Single Open Side) Standard Booth (Double Open Sides) Deluxe Standard Booth (Single Open Side) Deluxe Standard Booth (Double Open Sides) Special Booth Bare Space China Enterprises ¥8,800 yuan/booth ¥9,800 yuan/booth ¥11,800 yuan/booth ¥12,800 yuan/booth ¥900/㎡ Foreign-Funded Enterprises $1,980/booth $2,980/booth $3,980/booth $4,980/booth $300/㎡ 1、Standard Booth: Minimum rental 3m×3m=9㎡; equipped with: white partition panels (2.5 meters high), one table and two chairs, Chinese-English header board, two fluorescent lights, carpet, and one power socket. 2、Deluxe Standard Booth: Minimum rental 3m×3m=9㎡; equipped with: white partition panels (2.5 meters high), one table and two chairs, Chinese-English header board, two fluorescent lights, carpet, one power socket, and raised booth fascia. 3、Special Booth Bare Space: Minimum rental 36㎡; provided: exhibition space and cleaning services; excluding booth construction and production costs. The bare space does not include any display racks or facilities. To ensure booth construction quality, all exhibitors are requested to use the contractor designated by the organizer to build their booths; no other contractors are allowed to enter the venue. (The organizing committee collects a special booth management fee on behalf of the venue: designated contractor ¥50 yuan/㎡, non-designated contractor ¥70 yuan/㎡). ● Conference Booklet Advertising: It will help you find clients after the exhibition! In addition to being widely distributed during the exhibition, it will also be distributed through various channels to professionals in different regions who were unable to visit the exhibition, enabling them to quickly find contact information and service details via the conference booklet. (The conference booklet is printed in full color on imported copper paper; size: 210mm×135mm). Front Cover ¥20,000 yuan Inside Front Cover/Inside Back Cover ¥7,000 yuan Frontispiece ¥6,000 yuan Black-and-White Page ¥4,000 yuan Back Cover ¥15,000 yuan Double-Page Color Spread ¥8,000 yuan Color Page ¥5,000 yuan 500-Word Company Profile ¥3,000 yuan ● Other Advertising: Advertising fees must be prepaid in full as a one-time payment; exhibitors who are unable to participate on time for any reason may also choose the following advertising promotions. Outdoor Plaza Arch ¥10,000 yuan/set (2 units) Carpet Floor Sticker Ad ¥500 yuan/unit Visitor Tickets ¥10,000 yuan/1,000 tickets Visitor Badge Lanyards ¥10,000 yuan/1,000 pcs Back-of-Visitor-Badge Ad ¥10,000 yuan/1,000 pcs Official Website Ad ¥10,000 yuan/banner/year Outdoor Road Flags ¥1,000 yuan/pair (2 units) Official Account Ad ¥10,000 yuan/unit/year Outdoor Billboard ¥10,000 yuan/unit Exhibitor Badge Lanyards ¥10,000 yuan/1,000 pcs Back-of-Exhibitor-Badge Ad ¥10,000 yuan/1,000 pcs Document Bags ¥20,000 yuan/1,000 pcs ● Product Promotion Session/Technical Seminar: A conference room accommodating 100-600 people, ¥30,000 yuan for 60 minutes per session, used for venue setup and related equipment rental (including venue, audio and projection equipment, lighting, tables and chairs, tea and other supporting facilities and services, and assistance in organizing the audience for the presenting enterprise). ※Exhibition Participation Procedures: 1. Fill out the exhibition application form and fax or scan it to the organizing unit. Booth allocation principle: “first apply, first pay, first arranged.” 2. After the contract is confirmed and stamped by both parties, the exhibiting unit shall remit the exhibition fees by telegraphic transfer to the organizing unit’s collection account within 2 working days. 3. After remitting all fees, exhibitors are requested to fax the bank remittance slip to the organizing unit. 4. After receiving the exhibition fees, the organizing unit will issue the Exhibitor Manual to exhibitors within one month before the exhibition opens to confirm participation notes. ※ Organizing Committee Secretariat: Beijing Aibo International Exhibition Co., Ltd. Contact: Zhang Lei 17729729055 Fax: +86 010-86487300 E-mail: 2662486664@qq.com Website: http://byq.aiboexpo.com Scan to Book a Booth

Trading activity in China's electrolytic manganese market remained sluggish this week. After an earlier decline, mainstream spot prices have stabilized at a transaction level of 17,800 yuan per ton.

Hoa Phat’s 2025 results marked a major step-up driven by the ramp-up of Dung Quat 2, pushing crude steel output above 11 million tons and lifting earnings through higher volumes and cost dilution despite weak global steel prices. Growth was supported by stronger HRC and downstream sales, a rising export mix, and continued domestic dominance. The year also signals a strategic shift toward higher-value products and future capacity expansion into rail and special steels.

In June, secondary zinc oxide prices continued to rise. How will they perform going forward?

At 4:15 PM on June 8, 2026, a ladle explosion at the SMS-1 steelmaking shop of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) — operated by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) — unleashed molten metal at over 1,500°C onto the working platform below Caster-2. According to a preliminary report by India's Chief Inspector of Factories, the cause was a sudden release of gas entrapped within the liquid steel, which ruptured the ladle seal before the sliding gate was opened, triggering a catastrophic spill.

In the China-Europe Advanced Manufacturing Industrial Park in Chengxiang Town, Taicang, Jiangsu, Norway's Hydro Group (Hydro) held a production launch ceremony for its new automotive aluminum parts plant. Hydro Group has consistently focused on the R&D and manufacturing of aluminum extrusions and low-carbon recycling technologies, with its products widely used in the supply chains of high-end automakers such as BMW, Tesla, and Audi. The project has now successfully passed the PPAP review, officially entering the full mass production phase, and in the future, it will stably supply high-end lightweight aluminum structural parts for BMW car models. After reaching full production, the project is expected to generate an annual new output value of 50 million yuan, injecting high-quality foreign-invested capacity into Taicang's automotive parts industry chain.

[SMM Weekly Magnesium Production Flash Report] From June 5th to June 11th, the weekly production of the national sample magnesium plants was 25,865 tons, with a weekly operating rate of 84.85%, up 1.23% month-on-month. Most primary magnesium smelting manufacturers have been operating normally this week. It is understood that a primary magnesium smelting enterprise in the main production area has increased its daily production, resulting in a slight increase in primary magnesium output. In the long term, currently primary magnesium smelting manufacturers have insufficient willingness to halt production for maintenance. Only one primary magnesium smelting enterprise in Shaanxi Province is expected to halt production for maintenance in mid-to-late June, and one primary magnesium smelting enterprise in Shanxi Province has extended its maintenance time until the end of June, while other manufacturers are operating normally.